Delete folder with subfolder and files from SharePoint Online with a Macintosh

Question

I have a SharePoint folder where I accidentally dropped a folder with a many subdirectories and files. I would like to delete it all by deleting the top level folder, however I keep getting an error since the folder is full of files.

You have to delete all the items in this folder before you can delete this folder.

Is there any way to force delete the folder even though it contains many files?

Answer 1

If you or your admin knows PowerShell, you can use the SharePoint PNP library to delete the folder:

#if not already installed
#install-module sharepointpnppowershellonline   #requires PS 4.0 or later.

Connect-PnPOnline -Url https://yourServer/sites/yourSite
Remove-PnPFolder -name Test -Folder "/shared documents"  

 

You may see recommendations to use the SharePoint "Sync" feature. Don't. This is a real overkill for just deleting a single folder, and opens up some interesting risks to other site data.

 

You can use Windows Explorer and map the library to a drive letter. You then display the library in Windows Explorer, click the folder and click Delete. (The items will be sent to the recycle bin.)

Windows Explorer can be very finicky and works for some and not others. You may need to logon to the site with Internet Explorer first. Do a web search with your windows version, browser version and error message for help.

Basic steps:

• Open Windows Explorer
• Right-click the Network folder/icon
• Click Map Network Drive
• Click "Connect to a Web site that you can use to store your documents and pictures"
• Click "Choose a custom location" and click Next.
• Enter the URL to your library. (Just the library, not a view: https://yourServer/sites/yourSite/Shared Documents)
• Click Next and enter a name and then click Finish.
• Windows Explorer should open with your library displayed.
• Delete the folder

Answer 2

I found out for us where this error affects the Sharepoint Online web interface when we (admin) have an eDiscovery case open or litigation hold policy applied on the folder. It only happens on the web interface and you can delete the folder and all its sub-items if you deleted it through the OneDrive sync client or through "Open with Explorer" (IE only).